Nintendo's enjoying a run of pleasing sales-related headlines right now, with the recent NPD results for May showing strong performance for Mario Kart 8 and a related bump in Wii U sales, in particular. The latest weekly Media Create charts for Japan are out, and they continue the positive trend, albeit with overall numbers on the modest side.

To start with software, Mario Kart 8 claims the number one spot in a field mostly populated by established titles, showing that it's got positive momentum as a whole. Yo-kai Watch continues its irrepressible run on 3DS, meanwhile, with a special mention also due for Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth; One Piece: Unlimited World Red had a very quiet launch on Wii U, well below equivalents on Sony platforms. You can see the results below, with lifetime sales in brackets.

In the hardware stakes the only notable increase is for the Vita, which brings it up above Wii U. The 3DS LL (XL) is still top despite a meaty drop, however, while Nintendo's HD system is still currently the best-selling home console in Japan.

Some good headlines for Nintendo this week, though we should add that these are modest, unremarkable sales numbers in general. If Nintendo can retain its top spots during a quiet, tough spell in the Japanese market, it at least bodes well for a busier release line-up later in the year.